Device and method for scanning an object on a working surface

ABSTRACT

A device and method for scanning an object on a working surface, the device comprising: a body located adjacent to the working surface; two or more cameras mounted on the body at a location elevated adjacently above the working surface for capturing images of the object on the working surface, the two or more cameras being angled such that their range of image captures overlap and the common overlapping region of the range of image captures of the two or more cameras corresponds with the size of the working surface, the two or more cameras being spaced apart such that each of the two or more cameras captures a different angle of the common overlapping region; and a processing unit capable of correcting skewed images of the working surface captured by the two or more cameras and capable of converting the images captured by the two or more cameras into a three dimensional image.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device and method for scanning anobject on a working surface.

BACKGROUND

Scanning a document to obtain a digital copy of the document is one ofthe many routine tasks in the modern-day office.

Typically, a flatbed scanner is used to scan the documents. A flatbedscanner usually includes a glass pane, under which there is a brightlight for illuminating the pane, and a moving sensor array forperforming the scanning. Objects to be scanned are placed face down onthe glass pane and an opaque cover is lowered over the object and theglass pane to exclude ambient light. When the scanning process starts,the sensor array moves across the pane, reading the entire area wherethe object resides. An inconvenience of the flatbed scanner is that theuser has to be present to lift and lower the opaque cover for thescanning process. Furthermore, the flatbed scanner usually takes upquite some space.

A portable solution is to carry out the scanning process using hand helddocument scanners. Hand held document scanners are manual devices thatare dragged across the surface of the document or image to be scanned.However, scanning documents in this manner requires a steady hand, as anuneven scanning rate would produce distorted scans.

It is further noted that the usage of flat-bed and hand held scannersare restricted only to scanning objects in two dimensions.

A need therefore exists to provide a device and method for scanning anobject on a working surface that addresses at least the above-mentionedproblems.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a device for scanning an object on a working surface, thedevice comprising: a body located adjacent to the working surface; twoor more cameras mounted on the body at a location elevated adjacentlyabove the working surface for capturing images of the object on theworking surface, the two or more cameras being angled such that theirrange of image captures overlap and the common overlapping region of therange of image captures of the two or more cameras corresponds with thesize of the working surface, the two or more cameras being spaced apartsuch that each of the two or more cameras captures a different angle ofthe common overlapping region; and a processing unit capable ofcorrecting skewed images of the working surface captured by the two ormore cameras and converting the images captured by the two or morecameras into a three dimensional image.

The two or more cameras may be spaced apart from one another anddisposed along a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the workingsurface, wherein the two or more cameras are pivotable synchronouslyabout the device and rotatable synchronously about the horizontal axis.

The device may comprise one or more feet located at the bottom of thebody where the device rests on, the one or more feet being use asmarkers to facilitate the alignment of a document on the working surfacefor scanning.

The device may further comprise an indicia located on the body toindicate the position to place the midpoint of a document on the workingsurface for scanning.

The body of the device may comprise a screen for displaying the capturedimages of the object, the screen comprising screen markers for assistingalignment of the object in the captured images.

The two or more cameras may be spaced apart by substantially 6.35 cm.

The two or more cameras may be arranged to capture part of a lowerportion of the body adjacent to the working surface to provide referencefor the processing unit to identify the working surface for correctingskewed images.

The lower portion of the body adjacent to the working surface may be ofa uniform colour.

The two or more cameras may be configurable to capture images ofdocuments in portrait or landscape arrangement on the working surface.

The two or more cameras may be substantially identical.

The device may comprise a sound producing device for producing soundwhen there is alignment of objects in the working surface.

The device may comprise a laser pointer for marking out the workingsurface to facilitate placement of the object.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method for scanning an object on a working surface, themethod comprising: capturing images of the object on the working surfaceusing two or more cameras mounted on a body at a location elevatedadjacently above the working surface, the body being located adjacent tothe working surface; angling the two or more cameras such that theirrange of image captures overlap and the common overlapping region of therange of image captures of the two or more cameras corresponds with thesize of the working surface; spacing apart the two or more cameras suchthat each of the two or more cameras captures a different angle of thecommon overlapping region; and correcting skewed images of the workingsurface captured by the two or more cameras, or converting the imagescaptured by the two or more cameras at into a three dimensional image.

The method may further comprise spacing apart the two or more camerasfrom one another and disposing them along a horizontal axissubstantially parallel to the working surface, wherein the two or morecameras are pivotable synchronously about the device and rotatablesynchronously about the horizontal axis.

The method may further comprise facilitating the alignment of a documenton the working surface for scanning using one or more feet located atthe bottom of the body.

The method may further comprise indicating the position to place themidpoint of a document on the working surface for scanning using indicialocated at the foot of the body.

The method may further comprise displaying the captured images of theobject on a screen and assisting alignment of the object in the capturedimages using screen markers on the screen.

The method may further comprise spacing apart the two or more cameras bysubstantially 6.35 cm.

The method may further comprise arranging the two or more cameras tocapture part of a lower portion of the body adjacent to the workingsurface to provide reference for the processing unit to identify theworking surface for correcting skewed images.

The lower portion of the body adjacent to the working surface may be ofa uniform colour.

The method may further comprise configuring the two or more cameras tocapture images of documents in portrait or landscape arrangement on theworking surface.

The two or more cameras may be substantially identical.

The method may further comprise producing sound when there is alignmentof objects in the working surface.

The method may further comprise facilitating placement of the object bymarking out the working surface using a laser pointer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be better understood and readilyapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following writtendescription, by way of example only and in conjunction with thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the example embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the example embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4A shows images illustrating a de-warping process of the exampleembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4B shows images displayed in a display of the example embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the example embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of a computer system of an exampleembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of an example embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is provided in an exampleembodiment of the present invention a device 100 for scanning objectsplaced on a rectangular planar working surface 116. The rectangularplanar working surface 116 is an area caught on cameras 104 and 106mounted on the device 100. Scanning of the objects in the workingsurface 116 is made possible by cameras 104 and 106.

In the example embodiment, the captured area corresponding to theworking surface 116 of the cameras 104 and 106 is larger than a standardA4 paper document (i.e. length 297 mm and width 210 mm) so thatdocuments with A4 paper size or smaller could be fully captured by thecameras 104 and 106 for scanning. The expression “scanning” used hereinin conjunction with objects refer to capturing images of objects andtranslating the images into a digital form recognisable by a computerdevice, e.g. portable computers, desktop computers, digital mobiledevices and the like. Related words such as “scanned” and “scan” shallbe understood accordingly.

In the example embodiment, the device 100 is placed on a horizontalsurface 216. The device 100 has an inclined planar body 102 arrangedsuch that its front facing planar surface is slanted at an acute angle208 from the horizontal surface 216. In the example embodiment, theacute angle 208 is about 66 degrees. The body 102 has a base 202extending from the body 102 and lying horizontally on the surface 216for supporting the device 100. The working surface 116 is located on thehorizontal surface 216 adjacent to the foot of the body 102 of thedevice 100. An object 118 to be scanned is placed on the working surface116. In the example embodiment, the object 118 is a piece of A4 sizepaper document. The two cameras 104 and 106 are mounted on the body 102at a location elevated adjacently above the working surface 116. Imagescaptured by the two cameras 104 and 106 at such angle would appearwarped or skewed. As such, there is present a processing unit (not shownin FIG. 1, 602 in FIG. 6) residing internally of the device 100 forcorrecting skewed images captured by the two cameras 104 and 106. Theprocessing unit (602 in FIG. 6) could be an integrated chip located onan electronic circuit board residing within the external casing of thedevice 100.

The body 102 has a screen 110 on its front facing planar surface fordisplaying the images captured by the two cameras 104 and 106. A usercan preview or review images captured by the cameras 104 and 106 on thescreen 110 with the help of an appropriate software with a Graphic UserInterface. Prior to scanning, the user can adjust the positioning of theobject 118 by looking at a preview of the captured images on the screen110. The images captured by the cameras 104 and 106 may include theimage captured by camera 104, the image captured by the camera 106 andthe image capture of an overlapping region corresponding with theworking surface 116 that is captured by both cameras 104 and 106. It isappreciated that the screen 110 could be a display based on LightCrystal Display, organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and the like. Itmay also include touch-screen technologies.

There are two front alignment feet 304 and 306 located at the bottom ofthe base 202 closer to the working surface 116. The front alignment feet304 and 306 are used as markers to facilitate the alignment of paperdocuments for scanning. There is a gap 126 located between the base 202and the horizontal surface 216 for inserting paper documents. Frontalignment feet 304 and 306 are located slightly into the gap 126 withrespect from the front facing planar surface of the body 102. There aretwo rear feet 220 and 222 located closer to the rearward end of the base202. Rear feet 220 and 222 serve mainly as rear footing for the base202. The front and rear feet 304, 306, 220 and 222 may be made ofnon-slip material.

The two cameras 104 and 106 are mounted at a location elevatedadjacently above the working surface 116 by a distance m 210. The twocameras 104 and 106 are mounted along the same horizontal axis 124,which is parallel to the horizontal surface 216. In the exampleembodiment, m 210 is about 292 mm. The two cameras 104 and 106 arearranged to face toward the working surface 116 at an angle 212 from thefront facing surface 214 of the body 102. In the example embodiment, thedisplacement 218 between the centre of the cameras' lens and the workingsurface 116 is about 338 mm, and the angle 212 is about 18 degrees. Thetwo cameras 104 and 106 are spaced apart from each other by adistance/120. In the example embodiment, the distance/120 is about thedistance between one's eyes (known as the intraocular distance) and isabout 6.35 cm.

As a result of the body 102 being inclined and the lens of the twocameras 104 and 106 being mounted to face the working surface 116 at theangle 212 (18 degrees), the images captured by the two cameras 104 and106 have varying depth of field and would appear to be warped or skewed.In the images captured, the portions of the object 118 nearer indistance to the two cameras 104 and 106 would appear larger than theportions of the object 118 at a distance further away from the twocameras 104 and 106. The processing unit (602 in FIG. 6) is configuredto adjust the varying depth of field of the object 118 in the capturedimages and correct the skewed images such that they would appear to havea uniform depth of field.

In the example embodiment, the two cameras 104 and 106 are digital andsubstantially identical i.e. having similar or exactly the sameparameter settings, so as to ensure that the scanned images turn outwell or satisfactory. Examples of such parameter settings are camerasize, same resolution, focal length, aperture size, shutter speed,sensitivity, lens type, etc.

In more detail, camera 104 captures a first area 112, and camera 106captures a second area 114. The first and second area 112 and 114overlap each other. The common overlapping region of the first andsecond areas, 112 and 114, corresponds with the working surface 116. Inthe example embodiment, the common overlapping region is large enough tofit the largest paper document that requires scanning.

By fusing the overlapping region of the two image capturing areas, i.e.the first and second areas, 112 and 114, the resultant image capture ofthe working surface 116 has improved resolution compared to capturing asingle image using just one camera. The reason being the total digitalinformation captured in two images is more than the digital informationin just one captured image. With improved resolution, a corrected skewedimage of the object 118 in the overlapping region can still turn outwith good or satisfactory clarity even if the correction process resultsin lower resolution at the areas where the original skewed image hasbeen stretched by the processing unit during the correction process. Inthe example embodiment, Super Resolution techniques are used to fuse theoverlapping region of the first and second areas, 112 and 114, togetherto produce the resultant image of higher resolution. It is appreciatedthat Super Resolution techniques are known to a person skilled in theart.

FIG. 3 illustrates placing an A4 size document 302 in landscapearrangement 303 and portrait arrangement 305 for scanning using thedevice 100.

In the landscape arrangement 303, the A4 size document 302 is placed inthe working surface 116 with its length parallel to the front planarsurface of the body 102. The A4 size document 302 is pushed against thefeet 304 and 306 to align the A4 size document 302 along the directions314 of the length of the A4 size document 302. A label 308 (i.e. anindicia) located at the foot of the front surface of the device 100between the two feet 304 and 306 is used as a marker to facilitate thealignment of the A4 size document 302 along the directions 314 of thelength of the A4 size document 302. The label 308 helps to indicate theposition to place the midpoint of the A4 size document 302 for thelandscape arrangement 303. Likewise, the label 308 can be used toindicate the position to place the midpoint of the A4 size document 302for the portrait arrangement 305.

In the portrait arrangement 305, the A4 size document 302 is placed inthe working surface 116 with its width parallel to the front planarsurface of the body 102. The two alignment feet 304 and 306 are used asmarkers to facilitate the alignment of the A4 size document 302 inportrait arrangement 305. The A4 size document 302 is inserted betweenthe two feet 304 and 306 of the device 100 to align the A4 size document302 along the directions 312 of the width of the A4 size document 302.In this case, alignment of the A4 size document 302 along the directions316 of the length of the A4 size document 302 is done with the help of areal-time preview of the images captured by the cameras 104 and 106 onthe screen 110. The screen 110 in this embodiment is configured todisplay as the preview, in real-time, the un-skewed or de-warped imagesof the working surface 116 captured by the cameras 104 and 106.

FIG. 4A shows a preview drawing 400 and a working drawing 410. Theworking drawing 410 illustrates how a skewed image of a paper document118 is captured by both cameras 104 and 106 and corrected to obtain ascanned un-skewed or dewarped image having a uniform depth of field. Itis noted that working drawing 410 is not being displayed on the screen110. It serves to illustrate the de-warping process of the capturedimages of the working surface 116. Drawing 410 illustrates an image 414of the overlapping region (i.e. the working surface 116) captured by thetwo cameras 104 and 106. The image 414 is generated by combining the twoimages captured by the respective cameras 104 and 106. Due to varyingdepth of field, the paper document 118 in the image 414 appears to be inthe shape of a trapezium with its parallel sides appearing horizontallyon the drawing page and with the longer parallel side located closer tothe bottom of the image 414. During the correction process to correctthe depth of field of the image, the overlapping region is stretched ina top direction 408 to lengthen the un-skewed image length vertically,and is stretched horizontally in a left direction 404 and rightdirection 406 to straighten the non-parallel sides of the trapezium.Drawing 400 shows the same captured image in drawing 410 after it hasgone through the correction process. Drawing 400 is the preview drawingthat would be displayed on the screen 110 for users of the device 100 toalign the document. It is noted that the shaded portion 416 in drawing400 is just screen filler and is not part of the processed image captureof the working surface 116. It is appreciated that in other exampleembodiments, the processed image capture of the working surface 116could fill the entire screen 110. In drawing 410, the image 414 containsa thin rectangular portion 412 (shaded black colour in FIG. 4A). Thethin rectangular portion 412 is the lowest portion of the body 102adjacent to the working surface 116. The thin rectangular portion 412 isdeliberately captured by the cameras 104 and 106 to provide referencefor identifying the working surface 116. The thin rectangular portion412 of the device 100 is deliberately dyed, painted or coated with auniform colour, such as black in this case, so that it could be easilyidentified using software and removed. The thin rectangular portion 412will be removed by the software of the device 100 so that the processedun-skewed image in drawing 400 that is shown to users will not displayit.

Although only skew correction of the document 118 in portraitarrangement (e.g. 305 in FIG. 3) is illustrated in FIG. 4A, it isappreciated that the same correction process could be applied for thedocument in landscape arrangement (e.g. 303 in FIG. 3).

FIG. 4B illustrates the use of screen markers 418 to assist users toalign a paper document 424 using the screen 110 of the device 100 inanother example embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4B, thereare an aligned drawing 420 and a misaligned drawing 422 showing thepaper document 424 in proper alignment and misalignment respectively.There are screen markers 418 in both drawings 420 and 422. These screenmarkers 418 are alignment features provided to assist alignment usingthe screen 110.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, the device 100may include a sound producing device, which will produce sound to alarmusers when the paper document 424 is aligned, for example, when theedges of the paper document 424 are closely aligned to the screenmarkers 418. Detection can be done by using software to monitor thecaptured images of the paper document 424.

FIG. 5 illustrates using the device 100 described earlier with referenceto the preceding figures to produce a 3D image (in other words, astereoscopic image or stereogram) of an object 502. In the presentexample embodiment, the object 502 is a box and cameras 104 and 106 arelocated approximately 6.35 cm apart to capture images of the object 502from two angles. It is known in stereoscopic techniques that in order togenerate the 3D image of an object, at least two images of the object502 should be captured at different angles. Furthermore, to produce 3Dimage close to how a human would perceive, the distance/120 between thetwo cameras 104 and 106 is preferably 6.35 cm, which is the intraoculardistance.

The example embodiment described with reference to FIG. 5 may include amodification to enable both 2D and 3D scanning of objects, for instance,the round object 506, located above and outside the working surface 116and facing the side of the device 100 comprising the two cameras 104,106. Using FIG. 5 for illustration, the modification is to make the twocameras 104 and 106 pivotable synchronously by way of mechanical jointsabout the device 100 thereby making the two cameras 104 and 106rotatable synchronously about the horizontal axis 124. It is appreciatedthat the design for such mechanical joints is known to a person skilledin the relevant art and would not be covered herein.

For illustration, in FIG. 5, the cameras 104 and 106 having the opticalaxes 508 and 510 respectively could be rotatable synchronously about thehorizontal axis 124 by an angle 504 as shown. Angle 504 could rangebetween 0 to 180 degrees. By making the two cameras 104 and 106 rotatesynchronously, the two cameras 104 and 106 could capture a commonoverlapping region, such as the working surface 116, for the creation of2D scans, and could capture object(s) (e.g. object 502 or 506) in thecommon overlapping region from two different angles (i.e. each cameracapturing a different angle of the object) at the same instance for thecreation of 3D scans. As the extent of skew distortion in the capturedimages would vary for different angles of rotation of the cameras 104and 106 about the horizontal axis 124, the skew correction softwarementioned previously could be configured to provide skew correction fordifferent angles of rotation of the cameras 104 and 106 about thehorizontal axis 124.

It is appreciated that another example embodiment of the presentinvention may have no screen (e.g. 110 in FIG. 1) to display imagescaptured by the cameras (e.g. 104 and 106). In this case, the body (e.g.102 in FIG. 1) may simply be a stand with a base for support and havecameras (e.g. 104 and 106) mounted at an elevated part of the body (e.g.102 in FIG. 1) in the kind of arrangement described earlier withreference to FIGS. 1 to 5. Object alignment in this case would solelydepend on indicators such as the feet 304, 306 and the label 308.

It is appreciated that example embodiments of the present invention mayinclude two or more cameras mounted on the device (e.g. 100 in FIG. 1),preferably at equal spacing apart. The two or more cameras may havesubstantially identical parameter settings. The cameras (e.g. 104 and106) may be mounted and angled on the device (e.g. 100 in FIG. 1) suchthat their range of image captures overlap and the common overlappingregion corresponds with the working surface (e.g. 116 in FIG. 1). Thisenables normal 2D document scanning, as the captured image is generatedby fusing all the images of the overlapping region captured by therespective cameras (e.g. 104 and 106) at the same instance. Furthermore,the cameras (e.g. 104 and 106) may be sufficiently spaced apart (e.g. byabout 6.35 cm) on the device (e.g. 100 in FIG. 1) such that each of thecameras (e.g. 104 and 106) captures a different perspective (i.e. angle)of the common overlapping region from their mounted locations. This isrequired for 3D object scanning. In this manner, example embodiments ofthe present invention advantageously provide a device for both 2D and 3Dscanning of an object on a working surface 116 with one systemconfiguration. Other advantages include no need for lifting or closingan opaque cover to perform scanning like conventional flat bed scanners,and easier way to align an object for scanning because of alignmentfeatures like the screen (110 in FIG. 1) for previewing captured images,screen markers (418 in FIG. 4), the two feet (304 and 306 in FIG. 3),and the label (308 in FIG. 3) for document alignment.

It is appreciated that example embodiments of the invention could beused for scanning paper documents, photographs, drawings, objects to beconverted into a stereogram (i.e. 3D image), and the like.

In some example embodiments of the present invention, the device 100described with reference to the figures may include video conferencingfeatures. There could be a graphical user interface operating on thedevice 100 that is configured to enable real time 2D or 3D objectscanning operating as previously described during a video conferenceinvolving two or more parties. The device 100 could also be configuredto allowing sending of scanned images to the parties in the videoconference via an internet connection. In such an embodiment, the device100 advantageously functions as a tool for real-time presentation anddissemination of documents or objects electronically to other parties inthe video conference without disconnection of video conferencingcommunication with the parties involved.

The device 100 of the example embodiment described earlier withreference to FIG. 1 may be a computer system 600, schematically shown inFIG. 6 in another example embodiment. There may be provided software,such as one or more computer programs being executed within the computersystem 600, and instructing the computer system 600 to conduct somemethods of the example embodiment, including for instance the codeinstructions for displaying and scanning the object 118, un-skewcaptured images, converting captured images to 3D images, enabling wiredor wireless device communications (where applicable), enabling videoconferencing etc.

The computer system 600 comprises a processing unit 602 (i.e. theprocessing unit described earlier) for processing the one or morecomputer programs, and includes input modules such as cameras 636 and638 (i.e. cameras 104 and 106 in FIG. 1), an optionalkeyboard/keypad/mouse 604, and/or a plurality of output devices such asa display 608 (i.e. screen 110 in FIG. 1), and printer 610 to facilitateinteraction with the computer system 600.

The processing unit 602 may be connected to a computer network 612 via asuitable transceiver device 614 (i.e. a network interface), to enableaccess to e.g. the Internet (112 in FIG. 1) or other network systemssuch as a wired Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN). Theprocessing unit 602 may also be connected to one or more externalwireless communication enabled devices 634 via a suitable wirelesstransceiver device 632 e.g. a WiFi transceiver, Bluetooth module, Mobiletelecommunication transceiver suitable for Global System for MobileCommunication (GSM), 3G, 3.5G, 4G telecommunication systems, and thelike.

The processing unit 602 in the example includes a processor 618, aRandom Access Memory (RAM) 620 and a Read Only Memory (ROM) 622. Theprocessing unit 602 also includes a number of Input/Output (I/O)interfaces, for example I/O interface 624 to the display 608, and I/Ointerface 626 to the cameras 636, 638 and the optionalkeyboard/keypad/mouse keyboard 604.

The components of the processing unit 602 typically communicate via aninterconnected bus 628 and in a manner known to the person skilled inthe relevant art.

The computer programs may include one or more software applications fore.g. instant messaging platform, audio/video playback, videoconferencing tools, internet accessibility, operating the computersystem 600 (i.e. operating system), network security, fileaccessibility, database management, which are applications typicallyequipped on a video conferencing device, a desktop or portable computer.The computer programs may be supplied to the user of the computer system600 encoded on a data storage medium such as a DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, and thelike, on a flash memory carrier or a Hard Disk Drive, and for DVD-ROMand CD-ROM, to be read using a corresponding data storage medium driveof a data storage device 630, and for the flash memory carrier or HardDisk Drive, to be read through a connection such as Serial ATA or USBrespectively, and the like. Such application programs may also bedownloaded from the computer network 612. The application programs areread and controlled in its execution by the processor 602. Intermediatestorage of program data may be accomplished using RAM 620.

In other example embodiments, the device 100 described earlier withreference to the earlier figures may be mounted with one or more laserpointers. The laser pointers are used to mark out the working surface116 by illuminating the corners and/or the boundaries of the workingsurface 116. They facilitate the placement of a paper document in theworking surface 116 for scanning. The laser pointers may replace otherways of facilitating document placement, such as using the feet (304 and306 in FIG. 3) of the device 100 described earlier with reference toFIG. 3.

With reference to FIG. 7, generally, the steps of the method ofoperation of the example embodiment for scanning an object (e.g. 118 inFIG. 1, 502 and 506 in FIG. 5) on a working surface (e.g. 116 in FIGS. 1and 5) as described with reference to the preceding figures are asfollow.

At step 702, capturing images of the object (e.g. 118, 502 and 506) onthe working surface (e.g. 116) using two or more cameras (e.g. 104 and106) mounted on a body (e.g. 102) at a location elevated adjacentlyabove the working surface (e.g. 116), the body (e.g. 102) being locatedadjacent to the working surface (e.g. 116).

At step 704, angling the two or more cameras (e.g. 104 and 106) suchthat their range of image captures overlap and the common overlappingregion (e.g. 116) of the range of image captures of the two or morecameras (e.g. 104 and 106) corresponds with the size of the workingsurface (e.g. 116).

At step 706, spacing apart the two or more cameras (e.g. 104 and 106)such that each of the two or more cameras (e.g. 104 and 106) captures adifferent angle of the common overlapping region (e.g. 116).

At step 708, correcting skewed images of the working surface (e.g. 116)captured by the two or more cameras (e.g. 104 and 106), or convertingthe images captured by the two or more cameras (e.g. 104 and 106) atinto a three dimensional image.

Many modifications and other embodiments can be made to the device andmethod for scanning objects on a working surface and the methodologiesherein described by those skilled in the art having the understanding ofthe above described disclosure together with the drawings. Therefore, itis to be understood that the device and method for scanning objects on aworking surface and its utility is not to be limited to the abovedescription contained herein only, and that possible modifications areto be included in the claims of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for scanning an object on a workingsurface, the device comprising: a body located adjacent to the workingsurface; two or more cameras mounted on the body at a location elevatedadjacently above the working surface for capturing images of the objecton the working surface, the two or more cameras being angled such thattheir range of image captures overlap and the common overlapping regionof the range of image captures of the two or more cameras correspondswith the size of the working surface, the two or more cameras beingspaced apart such that each of the two or more cameras captures adifferent angle of the common overlapping region; and a processing unitcapable of correcting skewed images of the working surface captured bythe two or more cameras and converting the images captured by the two ormore cameras into a three dimensional image.
 2. The device as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the two or more cameras are spaced apart from oneanother and disposed along a horizontal axis substantially parallel tothe working surface, wherein the two or more cameras are pivotablesynchronously about the device and rotatable synchronously about thehorizontal axis.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, the devicecomprising one or more feet located at the bottom of the body where thedevice rests on, the one or more feet being use as markers to facilitatethe alignment of a document on the working surface for scanning.
 4. Thedevice as claimed in claim 1, the device further comprising: an indicialocated on the body to indicate the position to place the midpoint of adocument on the working surface for scanning.
 5. The device as claimedin claim 1, the body of the device comprising: a screen for displayingthe captured images of the object, the screen comprising screen markersfor assisting alignment of the object in the captured images.
 6. Thedevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two or more cameras are spacedapart by substantially 6.35 cm.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 1,wherein the two or more cameras are arranged to capture part of a lowerportion of the body adjacent to the working surface to provide referencefor the processing unit to identify the working surface for correctingskewed images.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lowerportion of the body adjacent to the working surface is of a uniformcolour.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two or morecameras are configurable to capture images of documents in portrait orlandscape arrangement on the working surface.
 10. The device as claimedin claim 1, the two or more cameras being substantially identical. 11.The device as claimed in claim 1, the device comprising a soundproducing device for producing sound when there is alignment of objectsin the working surface.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 1, the devicecomprising a laser pointer for marking out the working surface tofacilitate placement of the object.
 13. A method for scanning an objecton a working surface, the method comprising: capturing images of theobject on the working surface using two or more cameras mounted on abody at a location elevated adjacently above the working surface, thebody being located adjacent to the working surface; angling the two ormore cameras such that their range of image captures overlap and thecommon overlapping region of the range of image captures of the two ormore cameras corresponds with the size of the working surface; spacingapart the two or more cameras such that each of the two or more camerascaptures a different angle of the common overlapping region; andcorrecting skewed images of the working surface captured by the two ormore cameras, or converting the images captured by the two or morecameras at into a three dimensional image.
 14. The method as claimed inclaim 13, the method further comprising: spacing apart the two or morecameras from one another and disposing them along a horizontal axissubstantially parallel to the working surface, wherein the two or morecameras are pivotable synchronously about the device and rotatablesynchronously about the horizontal axis.
 15. The method as claimed inclaim 13, the method further comprising: facilitating the alignment of adocument on the working surface for scanning using one or more feetlocated at the bottom of the body.
 16. The method as claimed in claim13, the method further comprising: indicating the position to place themidpoint of a document on the working surface for scanning using indicialocated at the foot of the body.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 13,the method further comprising: displaying the captured images of theobject on a screen; and assisting alignment of the object in thecaptured images using screen markers on the screen.
 18. The method asclaimed in claim 13, the method further comprising: spacing apart thetwo or more cameras by substantially 6.35 cm.
 19. The method as claimedin claim 13, the method further comprising: arranging the two or morecameras to capture part of a lower portion of the body adjacent to theworking surface to provide reference for the processing unit to identifythe working surface for correcting skewed images.
 20. The method asclaimed in claim 19, wherein the lower portion of the body adjacent tothe working surface is of a uniform colour.
 21. The method as claimed inclaim 13, the method further comprising: configuring the two or morecameras to capture images of documents in portrait or landscapearrangement on the working surface.
 22. The method as claimed in claim13, wherein the two or more cameras are substantially identical.
 23. Themethod as claimed in claim 13, the method further comprising: producingsound when there is alignment of objects in the working surface.
 24. Themethod as claimed in claim 13, the method further comprising:facilitating placement of the object by marking out the working surfaceusing a laser pointer.